Everything We Know About the 3 Women Hamas Released Today

After 471 days in captivity, three Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza on Sunday, marking the first step in a tense ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The released hostages, all women, have been identified as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher. The Israeli citizens did not need immediate medical attention and have been reunited with their families. A video circling online shows the emotional reunification.

Romi Gonen

The Israeli waitress was captured during the Nova music festival in the October 7, 2023 attack by a militant group. Romi Gonen, then 23 years old, called her family as the attack unfolded, reported the BBC. The young woman was taken by Hamas militants shortly after.

Her mother, Meirav, who has been actively appealing for international help to release the hostages, revealed her daughter was also an “amazing choreographer.” Gonen had gone to the festival to “do what she loved,” per Meirav.

Gonen travelled to the festival from her home in northern Israel. According to her family, she has “the biggest smile,” and her bedroom is awaiting her return “exactly as it was when she left.”

Emily Damari

Emily Damari was 27 years old when she was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near Gaza Strip that was invaded by Hamas militants. According to AFP, Damari injured her hands and legs during the attack and saw her dog shot and killed. The British hostage was the last English citizen left in Gaza. She was born in Israel to an English mother and Israeli father.

“I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name,” her mother, Mandy Damari, told the media, adding that the “wait continues” for “too many other families.”

Mandy advocated for daughter relentlessly, at times sharing her fears of “the constant threat of sexual assault” while in captivity, per AFP. She also shared that hostages freed in 2023 told her that Emily’s “bravery and courage” helped “hold everyone together even in the worst times.”

In a video call screenshot shared by the Damari family after Emily’s release, one of the young woman’s hands appeared to be injured and missing some fingers.

Doron Steinbrecher

The 31-year-old veterinarian, described as “sunshine” by her sister, was also abducted from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Steinbrecher is both Israeli and Romanian, per Blue Ribbons, a campaign advocating for the hostages.

Doron sent messages to her family and friends when the assault began. She was reportedly hiding under her bed when the Hamas militants found her. Her family has been advocating for her release ever since, despite not knowing anything about her whereabouts for nearly four months.

Doron’s family published a statement thanking “everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey.” The family also extended gratitude to “President Trump for his significant involvement and support.”

“Our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today. We will continue to stand with all the families and do everything in our power until all of their loved ones return home,” they said. ​​​​​​​​​​

The Hostages Still in Captivity

A total of 33 hostages are to be freed over the next six weeks. Israel’s prime minister has said most of them are alive.

They have been identified as:

Karina Ariev, 20; Itzik Elgarat, 69; Liri Albag, 19; Daniela Gilboa, 20; Agam Berger, 20; Ohad Ben Ami, 55; Arbel Yahud, 29; Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29; Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36; Omer Wenkert, 23; Yair Horn, 46; Oded Lifshitz, 84; Naama Levy, 20; Or Levy, 34; Eliya Cohen, 27; Ohad Yahalomi, 50; Tsachi Idan, 50; Keith Siegel, 65; Shlomo Mansour, 86; Gadi Moses, 80; Eli Sharabi, 52; Omer Shem Tov, 22; Tal Shoham, 39; Ofer Kalderon, 53; Yarden Bibas, 34; Shiri Bibas, 33; Ariel Bibas; Kfir Bibas.